Phoenix evokes Kaufman

Joaquin Phoenix is one of my all time favourite actors, but if his 'career transition' moves in the way i hope it does then he will almost certainly go down as a Hollywood legend.  Phoenix appeared on the fantastic David Letterman show this week looking disheveled, unkempt and frankly homeless.  He mumbled through one word answers and chewed gum throughout.  He gave the aura of a Hollywood A lister who has hit the hard stuff and gone into complete and utter meltdown. Lets face it the guy has form, he did spend a period in rehab for alcohol addiction a few years back, but if the hushed stories coming from 'sources'  who are 'close' to Phoenix are to be believed then this is all part of an elaborate hoax, which will make up part of a 'mockumentary' to be directed by Phoenix's brother in law Casey Affleck. 

Analysing the video, i suspect you could form an opinion either way; there are certainly moments in the video where Phoenix is supressing laughter and at the end of the interview Letterman is heard to say "good job" before the actor removes his shades and starts a conversation; on the other hand, Letterman certainly appears to grow tired of the skit by the end of the interview and his chewing gum comments certainly were not throw away. I haven't seen him smash a guest to pieces like this since his infamous 90's interview with Marilyn Manson.

This isn't the first time a performer has gone about his business this way; who can forget Andy Kaufman and his infamous stunts and skits which made him a huge star in the States.  He even appeared in eerily similar fashion on the Letterman show many moons ago....